Loose leaf binder



Nov. 25, 1958 E. T. QQLMGREN 2,861,576

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Dec. 14, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 15 15 417 4 9 4/] F 3 v I INVENTOR 4 Ephraim Z' f/a/mgr'en BY QM Maw ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1958 E. T. HOLMGREN 2,851,576

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Dec. 14, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F INVENTOR 4 Ephraim Z' Ho/mqren.

7 @M Ma g ATTORNEY United States Patent This invention relates to an improvement in loose leaf notebooks and deals with an unusual type of apparatus for holding loose leaf sheets in proper position.

Many different types of binders have been provided for securing sheets in proper position in a notebook or the like. Most of these binders employ rings, threaded posts, staples, or the like, for holding the sheets in place. However, in order to attach, or remove the sheets it is necessary to either open up the rings or disconnect the threaded posts before the operation can be completed. The present invention deals with a simple apparatus for obviating these previous difficulties.

An object of the present invention resides in the pro vision of a binder for removably supporting loose sheets and in which the sheets may be attached or removed without removing any portion of the binding apparatus. When the sheets are in place they are held from accidental disengagement and the sheets will normally remain in place until it is desired that they be removed. By exerting proper force against the sheet, it can be disengaged from the binder without injury to the sheet and as a result sheets may be added or removed with a minimum of effort.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a loose leaf binder which is particularly adaptable for use in catalogues, price lists books, and the like where sheets are occasionally added. When a new sheet is received, the aperture or notched edge of the sheet is inserted into the binder where it automatically becomes engaged and held in place. However, the binder is such that the top sheet of the series may be readily removed at any time by exerting pressure forcing the sheet through the binder in a particular direction.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a loose leaf binder having a base portion and an overlying portion supported in spaced relation to the base portion. This overlying portion is usually formed of spring metal or the like but this is not entirely essential to the operation of the structure. A series of spring fingers project upwardly from the base portion toward the overlying portion, the ends of the fingers preferably engaging against the overlying portion or extending through apertures therein. When a sheet of paper is pushed between the base portion and the overlying portion, the spring fingers are deflected slightly to allow the sheet to extend between the ends of the fingers and the overlying member. Apertures, or notches, are usually provided in the sheet in alignment with the fingers so that when the sheet has been inserted to a predetermined distance, the spring fingers extend through the apertures and the sheet is held impaled by the spring fingers against accidental disengagement. By forcing the "sheet an additional distance beneath the overlying member, the spring fingers may be disengaged from the apertures and the sheet may be removed by pulling it in the same direction it was moved in originally inserting the sheet into the binder.

a reversed direction and the fingers extend through the apertures and the sheet is engaged. When it is desired to remove the top sheet, it is forced between the base of the binder and the overlying portion thereof in the same direction it was forced at the start of the inserting process. The aperture, or notched edge, of the sheet extends through the binder where it may be grasped and the sheet removed.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my binder mounted in a notebook or folder with one sheet partially removed.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through one of the spring fingers of the binder showing the manner in which the sheets are impaled thereupon.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the manner in which .the sheet may be removed by forcing the notched or apertured edge of the sheet through the binder.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the base part of the binder showing one of the spring fingers thereupon. 4

Figure 5 is a sectional view through an end of the binder shown in Figures 1 through 3, on line 5-5 of Figure 1, showing the manner in which the overlying portion and the base portion of the binder may be secured together.

Figure 6 shows a modified form of construction.

Figure 7 shows another modified form of construction.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view through another modified form of construction.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the notebook, or folder, with the sheets removed.

Figure 10 is a crosssectional view through a modified arrangement in which the sheets cannot be removed.

The binder is shown in its entirety in Figure 1 of the drawings. The binder A is mounted in a folder such as B. This folder may be in the form of a loose leaf notebook or any other suitable form designed to hold or contain loose sheets.

In the particular arrangement illustrated the folder B is shown as including a front panel 10 and a rear panel 11. The front panel 10 is provided with one or more suitable lines of fold such as 12 which connect the main portion of the panel to a base portion 13. The base portion 13 is connected by a fold line 14 to an overlapping portion 15. The overlapping portion 15 is connected along a fold line 16 to a marginal portion 17 of the bottom panel 11. As the portions 13, 15, and 17, are in surface contact, they form a reinforced center portion in the folder which acts as a support for the binder A.

The binder A is shown as including an elongated base strip 19 of spring material. These may be material such as spring bronze or the like or may be certain resilient plastic materials such as acetate or the like, or any other suitable resilient material. As is indicated in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings spring fingers 20 are punched from the body of the resilient strip 19 and extend upwardly at an angle to the body of the base strip 19. These spring fingers 20 preferably incline upwardly and toward the cover sheet 10 in the flat formationof the folder. .As is best shown in Figure 4 of the drawings the fingers 20 preferably provided with rounded ends 21 so that the sheets inserted or removed will slide over the ends'of .the afingersuandthe fingers will not .dig .into or penetrate 'the sheets.

.above .the elevation of the edges 24 and 25 of the strip.

This arc'uate section permits the strip to be formed of resilient material and still adds to the rigidity of the strip and tends to hold the strip straight when viewed from the side.

Any suitable-means may be-employed for holding the strip 22in proper relation to the base portion of the binder. In the particular form of construction illustrated, a'threaded sleeve 26 is provided with a head 27 which underlies the base portion of the binder and extends upwardly therefrom. 'In the particular form of construction illustrated, this sleeve 26 also extends through the folded portions 13, 15, and 17, of the folder so as to hold the base strip 19 in place as well as the top strip 22. A bolt 29 extends into the upper end of. the threaded sleeve 26 and this bolt is provided with a head 30 which overlies the top of the strip 22. The strip 22 is held spaced from the base strip 19 by suitable spacing means. Figure shows the ends 47 of the strip 22 bent at right angles to form a spacing shoulder. If preferred, the strip 22 may extend between the end of the sleeve 26 and the head 30 of the bolt 29 so as to hold the strip 22 in properly spaced relation to the base portion of the structure.

When it is desired to insert a sheet of paper into the binder, an edge of the sheet is inserted between the strip 22 and the base strip 19. The sheets are indicated in general by the numeral 31 and include spaced apertures 32 into which the fingers may extend. The edge 33 of the sheet 31 which is adjacent to the apertures 32 is inserted beneath the edge of the strip 22 and the sheet is forced beneath the strip 22, the edge 33 riding between the fingers 20 and the undersurface of the strip 22. During this action the spring fingers 20 are flexed sufficiently to permit the insertion of the sheet. The sheet is inserted until the aperture or notches 32 are at least registered with the fingers 20. The sheet may be farther inserted, if desired, in the manner shown in Figure 1. When the apertures 32 are aligned with the ends of the fingers or are beyond the ends of the fingers, the free edge 34 of the sheet 31 is grasped and the sheet moved in a reversed direction. This causes the fingers 20 to insert themselves through the apertures 32, the sheet being impaled by the spring fingers.

In view of the fact that a pushing forcemust be exerted upon the uppermost sheet 31 in order to disengage it from the fingers so the sheets do not accidentally come out of place. This in normal use, the sheets remain in proper relation, as in a binding of conventional type. However, the sheets can be readily removed when desired in the manner previously described.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, I disclose a modified form vof construction which employs the same folder B and sheets 31 having openings or notches 32 therein. However, in the form shown in Figure 6, the spring fingers 35 are struck from the overlying'member 36, these fingers 35 extending in inclined relation toward the other member 38. This arrangement is thus similar to that previously described, but the sheets are inserted and removed from the bottom of the stack, rather than from the top thereof.

It is desirable that the spring fingers on one member have their free ends either contacting the other member, or extend beyond the plane of the edges of the other member. In the first structure described, the fingers extend above the edges 24 and 25 of the strip 22, due to its curved section. In Figure 6, the fingers extend into recesses or apertures such as 37 in the other member, which in this case is the base strip. Figure 7 shows a construction similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 through 5. However, in Figure 7, the overlying member 39 is provided with upwardly directed recesses or cavities 40 into which theends of the spring fingers 20 may extend.

It should also be noted that the term openings as used in the claims should not limit the outline shape of the apertures. It should also be considered to include notches of proper shape to accomplish the desired result.

In Figure 8 of the drawings I disclose a combination of the structures previously described. This has certain advantages over'previous structures in that sheets may as in previous structures.

In the binder shown in section in Figure 8, the folder B supports a base strip 41 having a series of resilient tongues 42 projecting angularly in the same direction therefrom, the tongues being parallel. "Each tongue 42 is provided with a flattened or curved end 43in preferred form.

A strip 44 overlies the strip 41 and is also provided with spaced fingers 45 which incline from the undersurface of the strip. The fingers'45 are spaced similarly to the fingers '42 and areprovidedwith curved or flattened ends 46 which contact or bear against the ends 43 of the tongues 42.

The overlying strip'44 is'held in spaced relation to the base strip by suitable spacing means (such as the down turned strip ends '47, shown in Figure 5) so that sheets may-be inserted between the base strip and the overlying strip. By inserting the apertured edge 33 of a. sheet between the pairs of fingers 42 and 45 and forcing the sheet between the fingers, the fingers are guided into registry with, or beyond, the apertures 32. Upon a slight reverse pull, the sheet is impaled by one of the spring fingers of each pair. It will be noted that the sheet may be inserted anywhere in the stack, so long as the stack of sheets is not too thick.

With reference now to Figure 9, it will be noted that in preferred form, where the base strip is relatively narrow, a guide sheet 49 'is employed to simplify the'insertion of the first sheet into the binder. The edge of the guide sheet 49 within-the binder may be mounted in any suitable manner.

Where the sheets are not to be removed a guide sheet 50 may be used (see Figure 10) which overlies the base strip is looped upwardly, as shown at 51, and includes an end 52 which underlies the overlying strip or is attached thereto. The sheet 50 permits the sheets being inserted to move far-enough to beimpaled on the spring fingers but prevents the removal of the sheets without tearing the sheets'or taking apart the-binder.

In accordance with the patentstatutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my loose leaf notebook, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes maybe made within the scope of the following claims Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A loose leaf binder for use with loose leaf sheets having spaced apertures-spaced from an edge of the sheet and at a predetermined distance apart and from the endsof the sheet, the binder including a hinged cover, a base member and an overlying member, the overlying member comprising a narrow elongated member, means at the ends of said members connecting said overlying member to said base member, said members being adjacent to the hinge of said cover, the overlying member being free of connection with said base member except for said connecting means and forming an opening be tween said members through which said sheets may slide, resilient fingers connected to one of said members and extending in a direction at substantially right angles to the elongated edges of said overlying member and toward said hinge, said fingers being substantially aligned between said connecting means and extending at an acute angle to said one member and said fingers terminating closely adjacent and at an acute angle to the other of said members, said fingers being spaced apart and spaced from said connecting means distances generally corresponding to the spacing of the apertures in the sheets, whereby one edge of each said sheet may be inserted through said opening between said fingers and the other of said members and may be guided by said connecting means, the apertures sliding past said fingers upon movement of the sheet in the direction of inclination of said fingers, said fingers extending through said apertures when said fingers and apertures are in registry upon movement of said sheets in the opposite direction. 1

2. A loose leaf binder for use with loose leaf sheets having spaced apertures spaced from an edge of the sheet and at a predetermined distance apart and from the ends of the sheet, the binder including a hinged cover, a base member and an overlying member, the overlying member comprising a narrow elongated member, means at the ends of said members connecting said overlying member to said base member, said members being adjacent to the hinge of said cover, the overlying member being free of connection with said base member except' for said connecting means and forming an opening between said members through which said sheets may slide, fingers connected to one of said members and extending in a direction at substantially right angles to the elongated edges of said overlying member and toward said hinge, said fingers being substantially aligned between said connecting means and extending at an acute angle to said one member, the other of said members being provided with a recessed portion facing said one member, said fingers terminating closely adjacent and at an acute angle to the other of said members and into said recessed portion, said fingers being spaced apart and spaced from said connecting means distances generally corresponding to the spacing of the apertures in the sheets, whereby one edge of each said sheet may be inserted through said opening between said members between said fingers and the other of said members and may be guided by said connecting means, the apertures sliding past said fingers upon movement of the sheet in the direction of inclination of said fingers, said fingers extending through said apertures when said fingers and apertures are in registry upon movement of said sheets in the opposite direction.

3. A loose leaf binder in combination with loose leaf sheets having spaced apertures spaced from an edge of the sheet and at a predetermined distance apart and from the ends of the sheet, the binder including a hinged cover, a base member and an overlying member, the overlying member comprising a narrow elongated member, means at the ends of said members connecting said overlying member to said base member, said members being adjacent to the hinge of said cover, the overlying member being free of connection with said base member except for said connecting means and forming an opening between said members through which said sheets may slide, resilient fingers connected to one of said members and extending in a direction at substantially right angles to the elongated edges of said overlying member and toward said hinge, said fingers being substantending at an acute angle to said one member and said fingers terminating closely adjacent and at an acute angle to the other of said members, said fingers being spaced apart and spaced from said connecting means distances generally corresponding to the spacing of the apertures in the sheets, whereby one edge of each said sheet may be inserted through said opening between said fingers and the other of said members and may be guided by said connecting means, the apertures sliding past said fingers upon movement of the sheet in the direction of inclination of said fingers, said fingers extending through said apertures when said fingers and aperturesare in registry upon movement of said sheets in the opposite direction.

4. A loose leaf binder in combination with loose leaf sheets having spaced apertures spaced from an edge of the sheet and at a predetermined distance apart and from the ends of the sheet, the binder including a hinged cover, a base member and an overlying member, the overlying member comprising a narrow elongated member, means at the ends of said members connecting said overlying member to said base member, said members being adjacent to the hinge of said cover, the overlying member being free of connection with said base member except for said connecting means and forming an opening between said members through which said sheets may slide, fingers connected to one of said members and extending in a direction at substantially right angles to the edges thereof toward said hinge, said fingers being substantially aligned between said connecting means and extending at an acute angle to said one member, the other of said members being provided with a recessed portion facing said one member, said fingers terminating closely adjacent and at an acute angle to the other of said members and into said recessed portion, said fingers being spaced apart and spaced from said connecting means distances generally corresponding to the spacing of the apertures in the sheets, whereby one edge of each said sheet may be inserted through said opening between said members between said fingers and the other of said members and may be guided by said connecting means, the apertures sliding past said fingers upon movement of the sheet in the direction of inclination of said fingers, said fingers extending through said apertures when said fingers and apertures are in registry upon movement of said sheets in the opposite direction.

5. The structure of claim 1 and including second resilient fingers on the other of said members extending at an acute angle to said other member in a direction at substantially right angles to the elongated edges of said overlying member and toward said hinge, the ends of said second resilient fingers contacting the ends of said first named resilient fingers.

6. The structure of claim 2 and in which other member is arcuate in cross section forming the recessed portion intermediate the side edges thereof.

7. The structure of claim 2 and in which said recessed portion comprises an opening in said other member into which each finger extends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 286,757 Worn et al. Oct. 16, 1883 878,497 Bleakney Feb. 11, 1908 1,478,766 Russell Dec. 25, 1923 1,579,661 Richardson Apr. 6, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS 19,091 Great Britain 1907 

